Sunscreening compositions containing sulfonium salts

ABSTRACT

A highly substantive sulfonium salt sunscreening agent represented by the formula:   WHEREIN A is a sunscreening moiety, having a prominent spectral absorption peak within the range of 250-400 millimicrons; R represents alkylene of from 2 to 18 carbon atoms; R&#39;&#39; and R&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; represent alkyl, and wherein the sum of the carbon atoms in R&#39;&#39; and R&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; is not less than 9 and not greater than 27, and wherein the nitrogen is linked to A as a carboxamido or sulfonamido group, and X is an anion, as well as thioethers and mercaptans useful in preparing same; and compositions containing said agent in a carrier.

United States Patent 1 1 Gerecht [451 Feb. 4, 1975 SUNSCREENING COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING SULFONIUM SALTS [75] Inventor: John Fred Gerecht, Somerville, NJ.

[73] Assignee: Colgate-Palm0live Company, New

York, NY.

22 Filed: May28, 1971 211 Appl.No.: 148,158

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 820,280, April 29 I969, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 492,316, Oct. 1, i965, abandoned.

[52] us. (:1. 424 60, 424/174, 2607248, 260/308 A, 260/556, 260/556 ,AR, 260/556 B, 260/556 0, 260/558, 260/558 5, 260/559 R,

51 Int. Cl A611 23/00 [58] Field of Search 820/280; 492/316; 424/60 Suyama et al., Pharmaceutical Society of Japan (Journal), Vol. 84, Oct. 1964, pp. l,0l2-l ,0l4.

Fran/7y Examiner-Albert T. Meyers Assistant Examiner-Dale R. Ore

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Richard N. Miller; Ronald 8. Cornell; Herbert S. Sylvester [57] ABSTRACT A highly substantive sulfonium salt sunscreening agent represented by the formula:

R t A sa- 1: s

wherein A is a sunscreening moiety, having a promi- Hem pe tra a p on .psak-.w h tl stease 0f 250-400 millimicrons; R represents alkylene of from 2 to 18 carbon atoms; R and R" represent alkyl, and wherein the sum of the carbon atoms in R and R" is not less than 9 and not greater than 27, and wherein the nitrogen is linked to A as a carboxamido or sult'onamido group, and X is an anion, as well as thioethers and mercaptans useful in preparing same; and compositions containing said agent in a carrier.

2 Claims, No Drawings 1 SUNSCREENING COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING SULFONIUM SALTS The present application is a continuation in part of abandoned U.S. Application Ser. No. 820,280, filed C112C11(NH2)CO0H H cn cama woou O 110" O I cg mwcn eatun moon no cs l, melanin o no on 000;!

Apr. 29, 1969, which is a continuation in part of abandoned U.S. Application Ser. No. 492,316, tiled Oct. 1, 1965.

The present invention relates to sunscreening agents and more particularly to sunscreening agents having improved adhesion to the skin and compositions containing the agents in a carrier.

Contrary to common belief the benefits of exposing the human body to sunlight are more psychological than physiological. Although a suntanned body is admired as synonymous with good health in this part of the world, it is probably more of a status symbol than a sign of physical fitness. It is said that in tropical agricultural countries where the working class must expose itself to the sun, a milk white skin rather than a healthy tan" is considered desirable. Furthermore, reports on the harmful effects of sunlight on human skin have appeared in the medical literature. In a report of the Committee on Cosmetics to the American Medical Society [J. Am. Med. Assn. 161 1480-3 (1956); B. M. Kesten, J. Am. Med. Assn. 161 1565-7 (1956)], these effects are reported. Chronic exposure to sunlight is considered by Knox et al. [J. M. Knox; J. Guin; and E. G. Cockerell, J. Invest. Dermatology 29 435-44 (1957), J. M. Knox, Am. Perfumer Aromat. 75 No. 8 43-4 (1960); J. M. Knox; A. C. Griffin; and R. E. Hakin, J. invest. Dermatology 34 51 (1960); J. M. Knox, J. Soc. Cosmetic Chem. 13 119-24 (1962)] to be one of the major factors in the production of both cancerous conditions of the skin and the visible degenerative changes that occur with aging. Through Consumer Reports (Consumer Reports, 1961 p. 397) the general public have been warned of the dangers of sunbathing.

The tanning of the skin when exposed to sunlight is part of natures method of protecting the individual from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation including sunburn. Tanning is a result of several processes which are not well understood. Rothman [S. Rothman Physiology and Biochemistry ofthe Skin, U. ofChicago Press, p. 552 (1954)] indicates that formation of new melanin, brownish pigment of the skin, migration of new melanin to the surface and oxidative darkening of preformed melanin all play a role. The former process is said to be brought about by the erytheme-producing radiation having a wave length between 2,800 and 3,100 A and the latter darkening produced by radiation between 3,000 and 4,200 A with a maximum effect as 3,400 A. The necessity of erythemal radiation for new melanin formation has been questioned in recent reports [(a) M. A. Pathak; P. C. Riley; T. B. Fitzpatrick; and W. L. Curwen, Nature 193 148-50 (1962) (b) M. A. Pathak; F. C. Riley; and T. E. Fitzpatrick, J. Invest. Parmatology 39 435-43 (1962)], and evidence is pres- I [(a) L. F. and M. Fieser, Advanced Organic Chemistry,

Reinhold p. 1,065-7 (1961) (b) R. A. Nicolaue and M. Piattelli, J. Polymer Science 58 1,133-9 (1962)].

The outer horny layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, also thickens after exposure to sunlight. This layer is highly ultraviolet absorbing and is thought to offer considerable protection to the ultraviolet sensitive lower layers of the skin [8. M. Kesten, J. Am. Med. Assn. 161 1565-7 (1956)].

In addition, human perspiration contains urocanic acid,

(I! CH CH C0011 erythema. Of the many compounds which have been tried over the years [E. G. Klarmann, Am. Perf. and Essential Oil Rev. 33-8 126-35 (1949)] derivatives of salicyclic acid, p-aminobenzoic acid, 2- hydroxybenzophenone and 2-hydroxyphenylbenzotriazole have emerged as the most desirable sunscreens from the practical as well as theoretical point of view. However, as yet, no product is available which through regular use would impart convenient and constant protection against the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation.

At least as early as 1946 it was recognized that one of the deficiencies of then existing sun-tan" lotions was failure to protect because thesunscreening agent was diluted or floated off by perspiration. Resistance to water or sweat can be imparted to a degree by incorporating water repellents or emollients in the formulations. However, for various purposes such as more than occasional use and for incorporation in a variety of products it is advantageous to have as an active agent or agents in a formulation materials which not only absorb erythemal radiation but also adhere strongly to the skin.

Many compounds capable of absorbing ultraviolet radiation have been described in the literature and recommended as sunscreening agents. Among those recommended are the following:

TYPE SPECIFIC FORM and p-aminobenzoates and anthranilates salicylates and tannates methyl and benzyl esters Aminohenzoic acids gydroxyhenzoic acids innamic acid Coumarine unbelliferenes; quercetin;

esculin: daphnin Biphenyls oand p-dihydroxybiphenyl disulfonates Naphthols sulfonates and carboxylates Benzothiazoles condensations of aromatic aldehydes and aminothiophenol lmidazoles uric acid and histidine derivatives; urecanic acid Sulfa drugs n',n'-Dimethyl-n'-sulfanilylsulfanilamide; n -sull'amilylsuli'anilamide benzalacetone; butylcinnamyl pyruvate 4 Z-hydroxyphenyl henzntriazole ethyl a-cyano-B, B-diphenyl acrylate Aromatic ketones benzotriazolcs cyano acrylates dinitriles B. B-diphenyl methylene malononitrilc Piperonals Benzophenones Highly purified. light yellow,

powdered benzophenones, e.g., 2,2'-dihydroxy-4, 4-dimethoxybenzophenone Hydrocarbons stilbenes Miscellaneous acetanilide Vitamin C Most of the foregoing and other materials having the capability of absorbing ultraviolet light have not proved satisfactory for use as sunscreen agents for one or more of the following reasons: cost, safety, discoloration of fabrics among others. Some are not sufficiently selective between erythemal and tanning radiation. In spite of the deficiencies of the presently recognized sunscreening agents the most widely used at the present time are derivatives of aminobenzoic' acid, salicyclic acid, and the substituted benzophenones.

The sunscreen agents of the present invention combine in one molecule at least one sunscreen moiety such as enumerated hereinbefore and at least one substrate-binding moiety, such as I R --NH-R-- S The present invention provides sulfonium salt substantive sunscreening materials conforming to the formula:

9 and not greater than 27; and wherein the nitrogen is linked to A as a carboxamide or sulfonamido group; and

X is an anion such as Br, Cl, 1, C H SO CH -,COO,

and CH SO,.

It will be understood that substituents R, R and R in the above-depicted formula may contain further substituent groups of an inert, innocous nature, the sole requirement imposed being that any such group be devoid of any tendency to affect the essential properties of the parent compound, deleteriously, i.e., such properties as radiation absorption, substantivity, etc. Thus, R may be substituted with, for example, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, cyano and halogen. Moreover, R and R. may be substituted alky'l, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy- 'alkyl. cyanoalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, carbalkoxy alkyl, etc.

The sulfonium salts of the present invention may be readily and easily prepared according to numerous techniques. Thus, the aminoalkyl-alkylthioethers, for example, the aminopropyl octyl thioether can be prepared by cyanoethylation (Organic Reactions" Vol. V) of octyl mercap'tan followed by lithium-aluminum hydride reduction (Organic Reactions" Vol. Vl) of the cyano groups to a primary amine. Thus, for example, 3,-(p-nitrobenzamido) propyl octyl thioether is prepared as follows: 10.2 grams of 3-aminopropyl octyl thioether are dissolved in 15 milliliters of pyridine and 9.3 grams of p-nitrobenzoyl chloride are added in small portions at about 25C. (77F.). When all of the acid chloride has been added the resulting reaction mixture is heated on a steam bath for about 0.5 hours cooled to room temperature and poured into water. The product is taken up in diethyl ether. The ether solution is washed with dilute aqueous sodium carbonate solution, then with dilute hydrochloric acid and finally with water. The washed ethereal solution is dried over magnesium sulfate and the ether evaporated. The residue is crystallized from 50 milliliters of Z-propanol. 15 grams (86 percent yield) of 3-(p-nitrobenzamido)propyl octyl thioether having a melting point of 67.5 to 69 C. (153.5 to 156.2F.) are recovered.

The sulfonium salts of the thioethers are readily prepared in any suitable manner as for example by reacting the thioether with methyl bromide or dimethyl sulfate. Thus, the sulfonium salt of the aforedescribed 3- (p-nitrobenzamido) propyl octyl thioether is prepared as follows: 15.6 grams of 3-(p-nitrobenzamido)propyl octylthioether and 12.0 grams of methyl bromide are mixed in a small pressure bottle and held at room tempcrature, i.e., about 72F. (22.2C.) for about three days. The pressure is then released and the residue dissolved in a mixture of 50 milliliters of ethyl acetate and 2 milliliters of Z-propanol. The crystals which separate in the refrigerator (at about 5C.) are separated from the mother liquor on a suction funnel. 17.5 grams (87.1 percent yield) of the sulfonium bromide of the thioether are recovered. The sulfonium salt melts at 93 to 95C. (199.4 to 203.0F.) and has an equivalent weight by silver nitrate titration of the bromide ion of 445.4 grams. The calculated equivalent weight for 3- (p-nitrobenzamido propyl-methyl-octyl sulfonium bro mide, O NC H CONH(CH CH S (CH CH Br is 447.5. An alternative method for the synthesis of the compounds contemplated herein employs as the starting material an aminoalkylene mercaptan. The series of reactions involved can be represented as follows:

laoyIatlon) 7 R -hal.

(Th1 ootheriiicat ion) 1) Reflux. 2) 'Quatornization with R"X su onium :mli; formulation the following:

ride and thereafter derivatized as illustrated. Specific examples of compounds found to be particularly beneficial in the practice of the'present invention include A-NH-RS\- Compound Ebb... R R' R" x" I 0 N-- -"oca 3 2 Q U i all CH3 Br II i v CIZHZS n u III 0'0- v u I 12%; V 4 8 3 c n 01 VI C i I n 2 9 1o 21 3 :11 on 4 ir 0 m VIII H 4 0 c11 @3350 IX 0 n- -so r:

2 Q 2 11 CQHIQ 2 5 I x H w cocn l C n CH cu coo A further aspect of the present invention contemplates the provision of novel thioether compounds having the following structural formula:

Beckman DU quartz spectrophotometer. After decantation of the sixth water rinse, the hair was transferred to a Buchner funnel, broken up into small clumps or mats, and allowed to drain overnight. The bulk of the remaining surface water was removed by pressing the wherein A, R and R have the significance delineated hair mats between paper towels. The last traces of surhereinbefore;the value ofR' in such compounds varies fa water were removed by mechanically breaking Preferably from 7 to 26 Carbon fltems- A5 more fully down the hair mats into the individual fibers and blotexplained hereinbefore, compounds ofthis type are obi d between Sheets of fil paper h h i was tained via thioetherification of the intermediate mer- 10 h t f d to a 66 percent h idi Chamber, p f h e p i with an alkyl hehde- The thiee' over saturated sodium nitrite solution, and conditioned thenheahoh reeeheh P h y h be converted for a minimum period of one week after which it was to the corresponding sulfomum salt by simple quaternistored in a screw capped glass jar um used METHOD OF MEASUREMENT The intermediate mercaptan compounds as repre- The standard procedure was to soak one gram Semed by the formula ples of hair clippings (conditioned as described above) in a 10 ml. portion ofa solution ofthe substantive agent A and R having the significance hereinbefore explained in buffer and in a 10 Portion of the corresponding likewise appear to be novel compounds and, of course, buffer (blank) for 3 Period Ofexeelly one hour- The comprise a still further aspect of the subject invention. hmoh and the buffer were P P Off of the hair These compounds are of course obtained via acylation s21m-ples and diluted whh the Original buffer- The of n a i o lk l mercapwn, i h h compound tion was diluted to an appropriate concentration for ul- ACl, which may also be represented s A C] or traviolet light (UV) absorption measurement and the A-COCl. 25 buffer (blank) was diluted in the same proportion as The testing of compounds for substantivity to ki the solution. UV absorption measurements were run on presents some problems. The most pp r t diffi l the diluted solutions and on an equivalent dilution of is the limited availability of human skin, Hen e, a mate. the original solution of substantive agent with the bufrial for use as a substrate for controlled evaluation of fer using a Cary automatic recording spectrophotomthe substantive as well as the sunscreening properties in the 250 350 mu mhgei of the essential ingredient of a sunscreening composi- The Cary UV apparatus continuously records the abtion. Human hair was selected as the best material for sorbance (A) of h lut which is r y p p the following reasons: tional to the amount of UV absorbing material in solu- 1. It is readily available. tion. Pickup of the substantive agent by the hair lowers 2. lt bears a strong relation to the outer layer of skin, the concentration of material in the solution resulting the stratum corneum; hydrogen bonds, salt linkages in a proportionate decreases in the absorbance. The and Van der Waals forces are considered to play simiamount of substantive material picked up by the hair lar roles in both hair and epidermal keratin [W. Montawas calculated from the decrease in absorbance (at gna and RA. Ellis, The Biology of Hair Growth, p. 147, peak absorption) resulting from contact with'the hair Academic Press (1958)]. 40 corrected by the increase in absorbance of the corre- 3. Although its protein structure is not completely sponding buffer solution (blank) due to contact with known, it is much better characterized chemically than the hair for the same length of time. the stratum corneum. The following Examples are given for purposes of il- PREPARATION OF HAIR lustration only and are not intended to constitute a lim- Approximately 50 gram hanks of untreated De Meo itation on the present invention. All parts and percentbrown hair (from De Meo Brothers, New York City) ages given are by weight unless otherwise indicated. In were cut into A inch /2 inch long clippings with an each of the procedures exemplified, the following seelectric clipper. Each gram hair batch was washed quence of operations is observed. 7 g v w 7 H once with 2,500 ml. of a 1.0 percent sodium bicarbon- One gram of hair prepared as described hereinbefore ate solution by stirring vigorously for about two hours 50 is treated for'one hour at pH 7.12 with ten milliliters of and then leaving it soak overnight. The sodium hicaran F Solution of [he sulfomum Compound in bonate wash was then decanted and the hair was given a 0.065 molar solution of triethanolamine buffer. The six consecutive rinses with 2,500 ml. portions of deionhair is separated from the solution and the solution anaized water by stirring vigorously for ten minutes, setlyzed for a decrease in the concentration of the sulfotling for fifteen to twenty minutes and decanting. The nium compound by ultra-violet absorption at the maxisixth water rinse gave 97.5 99 percent light transmismum before and after contact with the hair. The data sion in the 280 320 mu range determined with a 50 ta are Set forth in Table Wavelength Ex. MP Eq. Wt. of Maximum Mg. Picked Picked No. Compound C. Found Cale. Absorbance A Avail. Up Up 1 3-Salicylamidol00-l0l 413.5 4l8.5 3000 I0 5.19 51.9

propyl-methyloctyl-sulfonium bromide. 2 3-Salicylamido-propyl- 82-84 472.0 474.6 3000 lo 9.|0 9l.0

methyl-dodecyl-sulfonium bromide. 3 3-(p-nitrobenzamid0) 93-95I 445.7 447.5 2690 10 4.99 49.9

propyl-methyl-octyl sulfonium bromide. 4 3-(p-nitrobenzamido) 76-77" 502.0 503.0 2690 I0 8.16 8] .6

propyl-methyl-dodecyl bromide.

Examples -34 The procedure outlined in connection with Examples 1-4 is repeated except that the sulfonium salt compound is replaced in equivalent amounts with the fol- I Suyhnll Seconds, in the range of 340 to 355 at -l(lUFi HH\\L\'LX', a mineral ull hiiring u \li.USiI heineeii 55 and 355 Sayhult Seconds can he used. "cg. mixture of 37'4' iil' surhitunmonuslezirate ("Arlacel 6U"), 3l.5/i il pol \ux \eth lene surbitnn-nionustearilie ("Tween 60"). and .llifi'li ul' Mll'hllill lowing 5 sesquiulezite ("Arlacel N3").

Example Sulfonium Compound No. No.

5 v 6 Vi Component B 7 vii 1 Weight 8 Vlll ingredient Percent 9 IX 10 X Water 6| ll Xl Preservative q.s. 12 xii l3 Xlll 15 Component B 15 added to Component A atabout lg 85C. (185F.) with agitation and perfume (q.s.) added 16 xvi to the mixture after cooling to about 30 to 50C. (86 1; 122F.), whereby a water-in-oil sunscreening lotion is 19 XIX formed. 20 XX 21 XX! 20 Example 3.6 (oil'in-water lotion) 22 XXII e 23 XXlll 24 XXIV Component A 25 xxv 7 Weight is Ingredient Percent 23 25 Mineral Oil oi'oo Universal stlyhtlll seconds 25. viscosity a Nunionic emulsifiers" l().(l I12 xxxn 33 xm 'perleriihly ii mixture ill 40' Arlaieel 60 and till? lvieen hilt 34 XXXlV in each of the above examples, the results obtained Comp B I h! are similar to those described in connection with Examlngrediem ples 1-4, re. the sulfonium compounds exhibit excellent substantivity characteristics. ggg While the foregoing aqueous solutions containing 0.1 35 percent of sulfonium salt substantive sunscreening agent are sunscreening compositions effective for protection from ultraviolet radiation, other suitable carri- Component C ers may be substituted for'water. The identity of the Weigh! ingredient Percent sunscreening carrier or vehicle [8 determined by the 40 final form of the sunscreening composition-solid, solu- 3-salic ylamido-propyl dodecyl methyl 3.5 tion, lotion, cream, ointment, and aerosol-and such Sullomum bmmde Perfume q.s. carriers are well known to those skilled in the art. Such carriers are characterized by compatibility with the sulv fonium salt agent and the skin as well as nontoxicity. A d B are h t d to about 60C. (140F.) and Suitable carriers include water;C- -C alcohols such as i d Then C is added at about 30 to about 5 p p i ethanol, Pf py glycol, glycerPli (86 to 122F.) to form an oil-in-vvater sunscreening lofatty material such as high molecular weight paraffin, tion'compositionl hdyrocarbons (e.g., mineral oil and petrolatum), and vegetable oils (e.g., coconut, olive, and sesame oil); Example 37 (oll'm'wfller 1 and combinations of the aforementioned carriers, with aqueous carriers being preferred. While as little as 0.1 Component A percent of the sulfonium salt agent may be used, sun- In rediem s screen compositions generally contain from 1 to 25 g percent by weight of the sulfonium salt. For example, Mineral Oil of Universal Saybolt seconds viscosi 25.0 solutions containing 1 to 25 percent of the sulfonium Nonionic emulsifim* 0'0 salt in aqueous C C alcohol containing five to seventy-five per cent of water can be used for protection "preferably 40 Arlaccl 6O andotj' Tween 40. from ultraviolet radiation. Further, Examples 35-39, i show that the sulfonium salts can be incorporated into 60 Component B I typical water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsions.- Weight Ingredient Percent Example 35 (water-in-o l lot on) water 6L5 compone-m A Preservativc qis. Weight ingredient Percent 3-salicylamido-propyl dodecyl meth 'l 1 l0 sulfonium bromide y Component C Mineral oil 32 23 I. Weight Beeswax 1 Ingredient Percent Nonionic emulsifier" 2 l0 3-salicylamido-propyl dodecyl methyl sulfonium 2.5

Example 38 (oil-in-water lotion) Component A Weight lngredient Percent Mineral oil of 60 Universal Saybolt 25.0- seconds viscosity Nonionic emulsifiers 1000 *prcferably 40% Arlaccl 60 and 60% Tween 60 Component B Weight ingredient Percent Water 61.5 Preservative q.s.

Component C Weight ingredient Percent 3-(p-nitrobenzamido)propyl-methyl octyl 3.5 sulfonium bromide Perfume q.s.

Each of the emulsion systems prepared as described exhibits excellent substantivity and sunscreening characteristics and, due to their provision in emulsion form, is beneficially adapted for application to surfaces to be protected such as human skin. Similar results obtain when each of the sulfonium compounds described in Examples 36-39 is replaced in equivalent quantities with one or more of the other sulfonium compounds described herein, i.e., Compounds V through XXXIV inclusive. It will also be understood that the sulfonium compounds contemplated by the present invention may be employed in admixtures comprising 2 or more. in fact, such manner of proceeding provides a particularly effective embodiment since the advantageous properties characterizing a plurality of such materials may be diverted to useful purposes.

It will further be understood that the subject invention contemplates modification of a wide variety of sunscreening agents, regardless of chemical structure. the attachment to such compounds of the substratebinding moiety more particularly defined hereinbefore,

R' [-NH-R-S 1 u specific representatives of such sunscreening compounds including, without necessary limitation, coumarine, biphenyls, naphthols, imidazoles, piperonals, hydrocarbons, etc. Efficacious practice of the subject invention requires only that the basic sunscreening molecule as represented by A in the structural formula posscsses a dominant spectral absorption within the 250-400 millimicron range.

What is claimed is:

l. A sunscreening composition comprising from 0.1 percent to 25 percent by weight of 3- paranitrobenzamido-propyldodecylmethyl sulfonium bromide as a skin-substantive sunscreening agent having a prominent spectral absorption peak within the range of 250-400 millimicrons and a skin-compatible, non-toxic carrier which is compatible with said agent.

2. A sunscreening composition comprising from 0.1 percent to 25 percent by weight of 3- paranitrobenzamido-propyloctylmethyl sulfonium bromide as a skin-substantive sunscreening agent having a prominent spectral absorption peak within the range of 250-400 millimicrons and a skin-compatible, non-toxic carrier which is compatible with said agent. 

1. A SUNSCREENING COMPOSITION COMPRISING FROM 0.1 PERCENT TO 25 PERCENT BY WEIGHT OF 3-PARANITROBENZAMIDOPROPYLDODECYLMETHYL SULFONIUM BROMIDE AS A SKIN-SUBSTANTIVE SUNSCREENING AGENT HAVING A PROMINENT SPECTRAL ABSORPTION PEAK WITHIN THE RANGE OF 250-400 MILLIMICRONS AND A SKINCOMPATIBLE, NON-TOXIC CARRIER WHICH IS COMPATIBLE WITH SAID AGENT.
 2. A sunscreening composition comprising from 0.1 percent to 25 percent by weight of 3-paranitrobenzamido-propyloctylmethyl sulfonium bromide as a skin-substantive sunscreening agent having a prominent spectral absorption peak within the range of 250-400 millimicrons and a skin-compatible, non-toxic carrier which is compatible with said agent. 